Fortnite players set for $126 million refund this week. Here’s how to get the money.
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Fortnite players set for $126 million refund this week. Here’s how to get the money.
Fortnite gamers who were charged for unwanted purchases while playing the online video game could receive a slice of the $126 million in refunds. The Federal Trade Commission is sending nearly 970,000 checks and PayPal payments on June 25 and June 26 to consumers who filed a valid refund claim. The settlement was first announced in December 2022. At the time, it marked the FTC’s largest ever refund in a gaming industry case.
The regulatory agency is reopening the claims submission process for gamers who are eligible for a refund under a $245 million settlement with Fortnite developer Epic Games over charges the company used deceptive online practices to trick players, including unsupervised children, into making unauthorized purchases.
The settlement was first announced in December 2022. At the time, it marked the FTC’s largest ever refund in a gaming industry case. The agency said at the time that Epic deceived consumers into making in-game purchases they would otherwise not have made.
On Wednesday, the FTC said it will send nearly 970,000 checks and PayPal payments on June 25 and June 26 to consumers who filed a valid refund claim. It issued a first round of payments totaling more than $22 million in December, the agency said.
The FTC reached a separate agreement last year under which Epic was fined $275 million over allegations it violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule.
How can I apply for a refund?
Fortnite players can visit a dedicated website to determine if they are eligible for compensation. Previously, consumers had until February 14 to file a claim, but the FTC has now extended that deadline to July 9. If you already filed a claim after February 14, no further action is required.
Consumers who receive checks are instructed to cash them within 90 days. PayPal refunds should be accepted within 30 days, according to the FTC.
A claim number or Epic Account ID is required to apply for a refund. A parent or guardian must apply on behalf of people under 18.
Fortnite players could be eligible for a refund: How to file a claim
The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $126 million in refunds to Fortnite players who were charged for unwanted purchases while playing the game. The agency also said it is reopening the process for players, or their parents or guardians, to submit a claim stemming from the FTC’s 2023 settlement with Epic Games. Epic Games agreed to pay $245 million to settle allegations that the developer used “deceptive practices” to trick players into making unwanted purchases. The FTC issued its first round of refunds in December 2024, which saw the agency send over 629,000 payments totaling over $72 million. The settlement represents the FTC’s largest refund amount in a gaming case.
The Federal Trade Commission announced Wednesday, June 25 it is sending more than $126 million in refunds to Fortnite players who were charged for unwanted purchases while playing the game.
The agency also said it is reopening the process for Fortnite players, or their parents or guardians, to submit a claim stemming from the FTC’s 2023 settlement with Epic Games, the game’s developer.
Epic Games agreed to pay $245 million to settle the FTC’s allegations that the developer used “deceptive practices” to trick players into making unwanted purchases.
The FTC issued its first round of refunds in December 2024, which saw the agency send over 629,000 payments totaling more than $72 million. In the latest round of refunds, the agency says it will send nearly 970,000 checks and PayPal payments to consumers who have filed a valid claim.
“Today’s announcement brings the total amount of refunds the FTC has issued to consumer related to Epic’s deceptive billing practices to nearly $200 million,” the FTC said in a news release June 25.
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The FTC said consumers selected their payment method when they completed their claim form. Check recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as indicted on the check, while PayPal recipients should redeem their payments within 30 days, the agency said.
Eligible consumers who have not yet submitted a claim have until July 9, 2025, to submit one at www.ftc.gov/fortnite.
FTC says Epic Games ‘tricked’ customers into unwanted purchases
Fortnite, best known for its Battle Royale mode in which up to 100 players can fight it out to the last one standing, is free to download and play. But the game charges players for a slew of in-game items and experiences – known among gamers as microtransactions – such as costumes and dance moves.
Microtransactions are a common feature in video games and one many gamers have come to expect and understand.
But according to the FTC, Epic Games used a design tactic known as “dark patterns” that concealed in-game purchases, allowing children to rack up unauthorized charges without parental consent.
In some cases, just the single accidental press of one button led players of all ages to incur charges that they hadn’t agreed to, the FTC says. This could occur for players who tried to wake the game from sleep mode or who pressed a button to merely preview a purchasable item, the agency said in a complaint, which outline offenses from 2017 to 2022.
Epic Games also was accused of locking customers who disputed unauthorized charges out of their accounts, causing them to lose access to all the content they purchased.
Under a proposed administrative order with the FTC, Epic agreed to pay $245 million, which will be used to refund consumers. The settlement, reached in December 2022, represents the FTC’s largest refund amount in a gaming case.
Contributing: Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
How to Claim a Fortnite Refund: Players Tricked Into Buying In-Game Items May Be Owed Part of $126m Payout
The Federal Trade Commission is now issuing over $126 million (£91.70 million) in refunds to players of the popular video game Fortnite. Consumers who qualify and haven’t yet submitted a claim now have until 9 July 2025 to do so at www.ftc.gov/fortnites. The FTC’s actions resulted in over $339 million (£246.72 million) being returned to consumers nationwide in 2024. The agency plans to send out additional payments in 2026 after it has finished reviewing and validating all claims. This guide will walk you through the process of claiming your refund. The claims process is currently limited to Fortnites players in the US. It will not ask you to pay money or provide account details. A player’s account will remain unaffected, even if they submit a claim.
The Federal Trade Commission is now issuing over $126 million (£91.70 million) in refunds to players of the popular video game Fortnite, who were charged for items they did not intend to purchase while playing.
What Is This Refund For?
The agency stated that it will restart the process, allowing Fortnite players and their parents or guardians to submit claims for money from the 2023 settlement with Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite.
The company agreed to pay $245 million (£178.31 million) to resolve the FTC’s claims that Epic used misleading tactics to deceive players into making purchases they didn’t want. Consumers who qualify and haven’t yet submitted a claim now have until 9 July 2025 to do so at www.ftc.gov/fortnite.
Building on the first round of refunds in December 2024, which saw 629,344 payments totalling over $72 million (£52.40 million), the FTC is now distributing 969,173 additional checks and PayPal payments on 25 June and 26 June to consumers with approved claims.
Understanding Your Refund and Getting Help
With today’s announcement, the total refunds the FTC has distributed to consumers concerning Epic’s misleading billing practices now stand at almost $200 million (£145.56 million). Consumers selected their preferred payment method when completing their claim form.
Those receiving checks should cash them within 90 days, as stated on the check. For PayPal payments, recipients have 30 days to redeem them.
If you have questions about your payment, the FTC advises reaching out to the refund administrator, Rust Consulting, Inc. You can contact them by calling 1-833-915-0880 or sending an email to admin@fortniterefund.com.
Submitting Your Refund Claim
To apply for a refund, visit www.fortniterefund.com/file-a-claim. You will need either a claim number or your Epic Account ID to complete the process. If you didn’t receive an email containing a claim number, you can find your Epic Account ID by following the instructions on Epic Games’ website.
Just got my Fortnite epic games refund pic.twitter.com/PPWai3Izvh — NATE (@NATERERUN) June 25, 2025
The Commission wants you to remember that they will never ask you to pay money or provide account details to receive a refund.
The Commission provides interactive dashboards with refund data, enabling a state-by-state view of refunds in FTC cases. In 2024, the FTC’s actions resulted in over $339 million (£246.72 million) being returned to consumers nationwide.
Additional Refund Application Requirements
The FTC also confirmed that a player’s Fortnite account will remain unaffected, and they will not lose any purchased items, even if they submit a claim. Should the claim be approved, the payment amount will be determined by various factors, including the total number of people who file.
The agency plans to send out additional payments in 2026 after it has finished reviewing and validating all claims. We’ll update this page once we have more details. Also, the claims process is currently limited to Fortnite players in the US.
This initiative by the FTC ensures that players who were unfairly charged can recover their money. Make sure to submit your claim by 9 July 2025 if you believe you’re eligible.
FTC Sends $126 Million in Refunds to Fortnite Players, Reopens Claims Process: Deadline for New Claims Set for July 9
The Federal Trade Commission has announced the distribution of more than $126 million in refunds to Fortnite players who were charged for unwanted in-game items. This action is part of a broader settlement with Epic Games, the developer behind the globally popular video game. The FTC has also reopened the claims process, giving eligible players and their guardians until July 9, 2025, to submit new claims if they have not already done so. The average refund amount is approximately $114 to $130, depending on individual circumstances and the total number of claims. As of June 25 and 26, the FTC began sending nearly 970,000 checks and PayPal payments to eligible claimants who previously filed.
The FTC has also reopened the claims process, giving eligible players and their guardians until July 9, 2025, to submit new claims if they have not already done so.
Why Are Refunds Being Issued?
The FTC’s investigation revealed that Epic Games employed so-called “dark patterns”—design tactics that misled players into spending money unintentionally. Examples included triggering payments by simply waking the game from sleep mode or pressing a button while trying to preview an item.
The agency also found that some users who disputed charges were blocked from accessing content they had already paid for. As a result, Epic Games agreed to a $245 million settlement to compensate affected players, part of a larger $520 million resolution addressing both deceptive billing and privacy violations.
Who Is Eligible for a Refund?
Refunds are available to U.S.-based Fortnite players who meet any of the following criteria:
They were charged in-game currency for unwanted items between January 2017 and September 2022.
Their child made unauthorized charges to their credit card between January 2017 and November 2018.
Their account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after disputing wrongful charges4.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to complete the claim form, though parents or guardians can file on behalf of minors.
How to Submit a Claim Before the July 9 Deadline
Players who have not yet filed a claim can do so online at the FTC’s dedicated portal. To apply, claimants will need either a claim number (if they received an email from the FTC) or their Epic Account ID. The process is straightforward, and the FTC emphasizes that it never requires payment or sensitive account details to process a refund.
What Happens Next?
As of June 25 and 26, the FTC began sending nearly 970,000 checks and PayPal payments to eligible claimants who previously filed. Those receiving checks should cash them within 90 days, while PayPal recipients have 30 days to redeem their payments. The average refund amount is approximately $114 to $130, depending on individual circumstances and the total number of claims.
The FTC’s ongoing efforts underscore a commitment to consumer protection in the digital age, especially for younger gamers and their families. Players and parents are encouraged to act quickly, as the window to file new claims closes on July 9, 2025.
Consumers with questions about their eligibility or the refund process can contact the refund administrator directly. The FTC’s initiative stands as one of the largest consumer refund efforts in gaming history, reflecting the agency’s dedication to upholding fair practices in online entertainment.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fortnite-ftc-settlement-refund-claim/